Tour de Mountains 2018 is June 9

Tour de Mountains 2018 is slated for Saturday, June 9 and plans are underway for hopefully our best ride ever. Here is a quick rundown of pertinent information.

We always look over the routes for possible tweaks. Check back closer to the event for updated routes. Please note, the routes on this website have not been updated and neither have the registration files. They are from last year.

Event Rundown
Before the ride, you are invited to enjoy a full continental breakfast. SAG support is with you start to finish. Every 10-15 miles expect stocked rest stops manned by smiling volunteers. Whenever you finish, a spaghetti lunch that includes meat-lover and meatless vegetarian options as well as salad will be waiting. The Wellness Center's hot showers will be available and our indoor pool will be open to riders. It's a great way to wind up the ride. Plan to take advantage of both

You could be a winner
In addition to a number of door prizes, each rider is automatically entered into a drawing for a Char-Broil 3-burner gas grill. Extra chances can be purchased for $5 each or 5 for $20. The winner will be drawn during lunch the day of the ride.

Happening the Ride Weekend:
There's always something going on in our little town for visitors to enjoy. As the spring-through-fall calendar is updated, one-time special events will be noted here.

Located just across from the Courthouse, the Alleghany Jubilee features live bands playing traditional mountain music for listening and dancing every Saturday beginning at 7 p.m. Check the Chamber of Commerce website calendar for more local events, places to shop and just about anything you might want to know about Sparta and the surrounding area. More information is also found on the Host Town page.

Lodging
Sparta, Alleghany County and the surrounding area offer accommodations in a number of motels, bed and breakfast inns, and vacation rentals. The Alleghany Inn has been a faithful Ride sponsor and is located less than a mile from the start of the Ride. Their helpful and courteous staff and first-class accommodations will please any visitor. Follow this link for a complete list of motels, bed and breakfast inns, vacation rentals and campgrounds..

Any time is a good time to ride: Some anytime pleasure rides have been added to the Routes link. Check them out and plan your own visit to our mountains for a pleasure ride.

A fundraiser for the Alleghany Wellness Center, this annual event will support a variety of programs including spin classes. The Alleghany Wellness Center is a community supported nonprofit agency whose mission is to provide the people of Alleghany County and the surrounding areas the opportunity to achieve and maintain healthy lifestyles through health education, medically supervised programs and facilities for physical activity and recreation.

Ride Location
Sparta and surrounding Alleghany County are North Carolina's eastern most Blue Ridge Mountains on the border with Virginia. The area is convenient to the North Carolina Piedmont via I-77, SW Virginia and SE Tennessee. Bordered by the Scenic New River on the north and west riders can enjoy mountain and river vistas.

The community offers motels, bed and breakfast inns and vacation rentals for riders who wish overnight accommodations or want to expand the ride into a weekend in the mountains. Sparta's old downtown and two shopping centers provide needed provisions.

Helpful Advice
The Tour de Mountains is a ride, not a race, but regardless of the ride length you chose, this is the Blue Ridge Mountains and there will be challenging climbs. Being in good physical condition is the key to an enjoyable ride. If there is any doubt regarding your fitness level, consult your physician before participating.

Watch for gravel. Some backroads are paved with gravel over tar and there may be loose gravel on recently paved roads.

Watch for animals. You may encounter untethered dogs. Carrying dog repellent is advised. Be alert for deer and turkey crossing the road.

All routes are over paved roads. Wide mountain bike tires designed for off-road riding are not necessary and will increase the difficulty of the ride.

For the safety of our riders, we do reserve the right to make necessary route changes to accommodate any unforeseen construction, etc.